Rovinj, with its Venetian old town, spreads out across a magnificent oval-shaped peninsula, and little artist workshops make this a thriving cultural hub. Fine-dining restaurants are tucked away on steep narrow streets, whilst chic lounge bars line the waterside. As for the coastline, it’s backed by dense pine forests and dotted with tiny shingle coves.

Poreč is a picturesque city, is located in the middle of the Istrian Riviera and stretches across a peninsula and looks out onto a cluster of exotic islands. There’s Roman architecture, Venetian houses and a Byzantine Basilica here, not to mention plenty of bars and restaurants. In the background, the rolling olive groves and hilltop towns make this the Adriatic version of Tuscany.

Opatija in Croatia, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, is a remarkable seaside resort town with a long history of tourism stretching back to 1844. Stop for a moment, close your eyes, and you are likely to feel its rich cultural heritage and almost hear the footsteps from the past.